My husband and I are trying to think of viable plants to grow along a 2 metre wooden fence in the back yard - there is a small swimming pool there, there is no landscaping/plants at *all*. We like the palm-y tropicalish feel and were talking about bamboo, actually, but there is such a stigma against it.

I thought a palm might be a nice thing especially as Macarthur is a native but I wasn't sure how soon we would get a decent sized palm from a small one! Idea being to make that back area nicer, to hide the ugly gray wooden fence, but not be too tall - there are some very tall trees from other yards giving a kind of semi-shadeishness along that back fence area.

Also, does anyone know where to obtain macarthur palms? They don't seem to be very common.

Thanks!

i don't think they are a particularly fast growing palm, and from recolections not so sure they like it out in the full on sun?

if you research the native bamboos you will find some suitable species there and maybe get the same results by having them in large tubs? it is only the exotic bamboos that are the weedy ones.

also i invite you to ask your question in the free forums over at:

garden express

happy new year

Pytchosperma macarthurii can be quite fast growing if feed, watered well and kept well mulched. It is quite hardy and will tolerate some neglect including dry conditions and lack of fertiliser. It will grow in full sun or in shady conditions.

I don't know where you are in Queensland but the do turn up occasionally at Big W and if you are in Brisbane, 'Palms for Brisbane' always have them in stock. Otherwise send me an email and I can let you know who else may have them.

They are a very under utilised palm in the subtropics and I would love to see them used more than the common old Golden Cane Palm.

Pychosperma bleeseri from the Northern Territory is another clumper similar but smaller than macarthurii. It is very fast growing but critically endangered in the wild. It is sometimes available too.

Hope this helps.

Andrew.